What to Consider Before Buying Wicker Furniture?

Wicker furniture can be a lovely addition to any outdoor living space, but this type of furniture isn’t for everyone. Before you make an impulse purchase, consider the following information on furniture made from wicker. It may help you decide whether you will love having this type of outdoor furniture in the years to come.

Do You Like the Style?

Wicker furniture has that tropical appeal. It also reminds many of the old south, almost like stepping back in time. Although these styles are still around, wicker furniture has come a long way. Today’s upscale wicker furniture is designed with sleek lines, rich colours, and a distinctive style that will bring a stylish look to any poolside retreat or backyard deck. Decide which style is for you before sticking with the older styles. There are more looks available than ever before.

Caring For Your Wicker Furniture

While furniture made out of natural wicker can be beautiful, it can also be a magnet for dust and isn’t stain resistant. This can be a problem for some, because unlike other types of furniture, wicker is a woven material and has many crevices for dust and dirt to hide. If you don’t mind spending a little extra time cleaning your outdoor furniture, it may still be an option.

If, on the other hand, you choose synthetic wicker furniture, you may just have the best of both worlds. Synthetic wicker is man-made, is not porous (therefore it is highly resistant to stains), and it is much easier to clean than natural wicker. A quick once over with a sponge and soapy water, followed by a simple rinse with the garden hose, and your synthetic wicker is looking like new. You can either let it drip dry or use a household towel to absorb any extra water.

Durability of Wicker Furniture

This type of furniture generally ranks at about a 5, on a scale of 1-10 for durability. When brand new, natural wicker furniture can hold up well during normal use. Unfortunately, with age the wicker itself will become dry and will be susceptible to cracking or tearing. It is not recommended to leave natural wicker outdoors all year round. Since the material is porous and will absorb water, leaving your pieces in the elements will promote mould, which will cause the material to rot. Left outside in the harsh elements, your furniture won’t last more than one season.

On the other hand, synthetic wicker is not porous, will not rot, or become damaged by the elements. In fact, synthetic wicker can stay outdoors all year round and still maintain its beauty with just a quick rinse every now and then.

Before you purchase your outdoor furniture, be sure you are aware of all the pros and cons. Natural wicker may seem like the right choice, but if you want something that is beautiful, upscale, and able to hold up year after year, synthetic wicker may be the right choice for you.